South Africa’s ANC considers coalitions without the DA
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Business Day (South Africa), TimesLIVE and Sowetan
The African National Congress (ANC) is considering several coalition options, some of which exclude the Democratic Alliance (DA), while most members who spoke at its national executive committee want to review the government of national unity in its current form, according to TimesLIVE. ActionSA appears to be the preferred option, while the party says it retains 'tactical flexibility' in its negotiations.
The ANC’s national executive committee considered four options for municipal coalitions, including arrangements without the DA, as the party seeks stable majorities in the metros without locking itself into an alliance with that party, according to TimesLIVE. Most speakers argued for treating the DA as a last resort, with ActionSA as the preferred option.
The four scenarios range from a unity government across the eight metros to confidence and supply agreements, including an alliance with the DA, ActionSA and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), or a formula excluding the DA. The last would allow the ANC and its partners to control six metros, but not eThekwini or Cape Town, where the DA holds an absolute majority.
The internal position goes hand in hand with a desire to call for the DA to be withdrawn from the government of national unity at the party’s next meeting, scheduled for late November or early December. Cyril Ramaphosa reportedly expressed exasperation at the DA’s legal challenges, while several party members attribute to him part of the setback recorded in the municipal elections of 4 November.
The negotiations come as Johannesburg and Tshwane are due to hold their first council sessions on Thursday, and several municipalities are preparing to elect new mayors. The DA still believes an agreement with the ANC remains possible, with Ashor Sarupen saying his party is talking to all parties around shared principles to stabilise governments and improve public services.
